Paper-towel holder.



G. C. WILLIS. PAPER TOWEL HOLDER.

APPLICATION TILED JAILSO, 1911.

998,561. Patented July 18,1911.

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a a g I 44 E? m 43 M a M y 1 53 u 8 e i Q I l I o. a. WILLIS. l PAPER TOWEL HOLDER.

APPLIIGATION FILED JAN.30, 1911, Patented July 18, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

M/z'irzeees; fZZ/GZWZOK 10 I r 27 j w PAPER TOWEL HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.30, 1911.

0. d. WILLIS.

Patented July 18, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

.JNlTED STATES PATENT oFFI E;

CHAR-LES C. WILLIS, OF SOUTH FRAMINGHAM. MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORTO DEN- NISGN MANUFACTURING COMPAN fl, 0F SOUTH FBAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPQRATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PAPER-TOWEL HOLDER.

Specification of Letters intent" lllitLSti t.

Patented J lily 18, 1911.,

Application filed January 30, 1911. Serial No. 605,414.

Framingham, in the.

'i'ountj." oi llliddlesex and State of Massachusetls, have invented an Improvement in; lapen'lmrel Holders, of which the following is a specification.

is quite strong and very water-absorbent-and is particularly characterized by being I crinkled transversely, giving it an accordion effect which makes the problem of handhngj it 'very di'tlicult, yet other well-knomi or suitable paper may be employed.

'lhe invention has tor its object to pro-5 ridea receptacle adapted to contain -a siip- 1 ply of paper toweling, in str1p t' orm, having an opening through'its wall through which the strip may bedrawn, and lhavin means to cutthe strip transversely,"\vhere shorti lengths of toweling, each suilicient to serve' as an individual towel, may be obtained; This receptacle is preterabl y normally closed except at the towel out-let tomake it so far 1 as practicable dust and germ proof. The' endportion of thejstrip normally projects through the opening in the receptacle, far enough to be conveniently grasped by the hand of the operator for the purpose of pullingupon the strip to drawit from the receptacle, and the cutting-device is ,arranged within the receptacle, above the 0f) 61lll1ff,lll(l when said cutting-device is operated to cut the strip so thin-L 3 short length or section may be withdrawn, means must be proyided for permitting or causing the newly 'or nedend portion of the strip, which remains in thereceptaclepto project through theopei'ring so as to be grasped by thel'iai'id ot the operator; and therefore, my present invention alsohas forlits object to proiid e the holder or receptacle with means adapted to beopei'ated simultaneously with and preferably in conjpncti'on with or by the euttingdci ice todrawoifof the towel-supply a-shor't additional length of toweling, and to accumulate the same between the cutting-deyice and thetoWel-supply, said actfi mulated portion being su'flicicnt, when permitte o r paused. to project through the opening in the receptacle, to extend far cnougli to be conveniently grasped by the hand of the operator. To insure the accuu'iulated portion which isdrawn off of the towel-supply projecting,through the opening when the end section which has been cut withdrawn from the receptacle, said end of the accumulated portion through the opening, after which said incompletely severed end sectlon is detached by a pull upon it; and the invention therefore also has for its object to provide a cutting-device which is constructed and arranged to incompletely sever the strip. j

The invention also has for its object to provide a receptacle'with meansto limitthe length of toweling which may be withdrawn from the-receptacle at each operation. In this connection, a preferred embodiment of my invention, a measuring-device is employed" which is adapted to be operated by the moving strip of toweling as it is drawn from t io receptacle, and comprises a measuring-roll or wheel adapted to be engaged by the strip of toweling and to be rotated by said strip as it is drawn from the receptacle, and a locking-device which is thrown into position to engage the strip of toweling when a predetermined amount has been withdrawn, and means operated by or in conjunction with the cuttingdevice for sub sequcntly releasing the locking-device and restoring the parts to normal.

Figure 1 is a front view of a towel-holder embodying this invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same taken on the dotted line 2-2, Fig. 1, the parts being representedin their normal positions, Fig. 3 is a similar vert-ical'section of the towel-h0lder, some of theparts being omitted for clearness, and the kniterblade being advanced far enough for the clamping-members to be moved by itto engage the strip.' Fig. 4 is a sectional detail showing particularly the measuring device ,for the strip, the parts he ing in the position they, will occupy when detail of a part of the measuring-device. Fig. 6 a longitudinalyertical section of a portion of the towel-holder taken on the dQtted line 6-6., Fig. .2. .Fig. .7 is a horizontal section of the towel-holder taken on fthe dotted line 77, Fig. 2, showing parend section is only incompletely severed, so 1 that it may be used as a means to pull the This invention relates to holders for paper-toweling, such as crepe paper which the strip is locked. Fig. 5 is an enlarged- Z lO ticularly the cutting-device. Fig. 8 is a similar view,'the knife-blade being pressed inward to cut the strip. Fig. 9 is a hrizonta-l section of the towel-holder taken on the dotted line 9-9, Fig.- 2. Fig. 10 is a detail of a portion of the strip, showing particularly the incomplete line of severance. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail of the measuring-wheel which is moved by the strip. Fig. 12 is a vertical section of a modified form of towel-holder, the measuring-device in particular bein omitted A normafiy closed receptacle is employed adapted to contain the towel-supply and the operating-mechanism. To avoid contamination of the toweling the receptacle should [be kept lockedexcept when opened for refilling. The rece tacle is made quite long so that a strip 0' toweling of considerable width" may be housed therein. As here shown the receptacle comprises a bottom wall 10; front and back walls 11 and 12; and end' walls 13 andl; and a top wall 15;, the latter being hingedly connected to the top of the back wall and extended over the top of the receptacle and down at the front'to engage the top of the front wall 11. Each'end wall has arranged on its interior a journal-bearing 16, for the end or "end-journal of a roll 17 on which the'towelsupply, instrip form, is wound.

19 represents the t0welsupp1y. I The receptacle is adapted to be secured by any suitable means to a wall 20 of a building, in horizontal position, and when so disposed the towel-supply is likewise arranged in horizontal position, and is free to be revolved" to admit of drawing toweling from the receptacle.-' The end portion of the strip of toweling leading from the towel-supply passes down through the bottom part of the receptacle and through an opening 21 in the bottom wall thereof, and is intended to normally terminate a short distance below said bottom wall, see Fig. 1, so as to be conveniently grasped by the hand of a person wishing to draw toweling from the receptacle. i I The end portion of the strip or roll of toweling passes between the cooperating members of the cutting-device by which the end section, large enough to serve as a towel, may be removed, and said cutting-device is arranged horizontally in the receptacle and ljntends substantially/from end to end of it i or at' least the width of the strip of toweling. "As here shown the cutting-device comprises two clamping-members for the strip of paper, and a. blade which is employed to cut the strip after the clamping-members have engaged it. so that the strip is positively held while being cut.

25 represents the stationary clampingmember which is horizontally arranged and comprises two flat bars arranged one above the other with a narrow space between them, suiiicient to receive the blade or at. least the cutting edge thereof. Said bars are supported at their opposite ends by any suitable means, as by means arranged on the interior of the end walls. The edges of said bars which face the strip each have a longitudinal groove extended from end to end thereof or thereabout to receive complementary V shaped edges of the bars composing the movable clamping-member, to firmly clamp the strip and prevent. it slipping while the blade acts to cut it. The movable clampingmember 26 is arranged at the opposite side of the strip, in a horizontal plane with the stationary clamping-member, and extends from end to end of the receptacle or thereabout, likethc stationary clamping-mcmbcr. It is composed of two flat bars arranged respectively above and below the blade 27, and both of said bars are movably' supported on and connected with said blade 27 by bolts 28, at each end thereof, which extend through the blade and through :llllIlSVGISOlY arranged slots 29 in the bars. As the blade and the bars which are movably connected therewith are quite long, supports are or may be provided on the interior of the end walls of the receptacle for the opposite ends thereof as for instance, ledges 30 are here shown for this purpose on which the ends of the under bar rest. The bars are normally held with their strip-engaging edges justin advance of the cutting, edge of the knife, as shown in Fig. 7, and are-bodily movable with the blade to engage the strip and move the strip into engagement with the stationary clamping-member and then to yield to permit the blade to continue to advance and cut the strip. To thus hold the clamping-bars with respect to the blade and to permit said bars to yield and the blade to advance, long springs 31 are-provided for each'bar which are attached at their outer ends toithe bolts 28, and at their inner ends to pins 52 on the bars,.and they are pretcrablyattachcd to said bars at intermediate points, as to pins 33, so that attachment of their inner ends to the bars becomes fixed and the outer ends only are free to move. The blade 27 is preterably toothed and has fixedly attached to its edge adjacent the front wall of the receptacle at a point substantially midway its length, a stem 34, which extends through a hole in the front wall, and has attached to its outer end a disk 35, adapted to be engaged by the hand of the operator for the purpose of pressing inward said stem and thereby moving the blade in an inward direction to clamp the strip and thereafter cut it, andalong spring 36 is provided for returning the blade to normal position when pressure upon the stem 3.4 is removed, said spring being connected. with the blade at a {point intermediate its length and connected at its ends to the interior of the front wall 11. As soon as the end portion'of the strip has been cut and the section thus cut is Withdrawn fronrthe receptacle, it is necessary that the newly formed end portion of the strip remaining in the receptacle shall be drawn down through the opening 21, far enough to be grasped by the operator to draw from the receptacle another length or section of toweling. To accomplishthis result means are provided for drawing from the supply additional toweling whenever a section is cut. which is accui'nulated between the cutting-device and supply, and which is given up as slack when the cutting-device returns to normal. and this additional supply is sufiicient when permitted or caused to project through the opening 21, to extend below said opening tar enough to be grasped by the operator. And

in addition to said means for drawing off an additional supply, provision is made for drawing said accumulated slack toweling through the openingpositively, so that gravity alone need not be relied upon.

The means here shown for drawing ott additional supply of towelinr, consists of a pull-otl device constructed and arranged to be operated by or in conjunction with the cutting-device, and the provision for positively drawing this accumulated slack toweling through the opening consists in so constructing the blade that it will act to incompletely sever the end section from the strip, so that as the. incompletely severed section is withdrawn from the receptacle it will act to positively draw down through the opening 31 the accumulated additional supply, but said end section is so completely severed that but a slightly increased or sudden pull acts to detach it from the strip. As the additional supply to be accumulated is between the cutting-device and the supply, the pulloff device is arranged above the cutting:- device.

In the present embodiment of my invention the pull-oft device is adapted to be operated by the cutting-device, and as here shown, 40 represents a horizontally arranged bar, extended transversely with respect to the strip. which is connected at each end to the lower ends of a pair of arms 41, pivotally supported at. their upper ends at 4:2, on the interior of the end walls of the receptacle, thereby forming a bail-shaped member which is adapted to be swung across the path of movement of the strip and thereby deflect the strip. To move said bail-sl'u'aped member a pair of arms are pivotally supported at their upper ends at 4-4- to the interior of the end walls of the recep tacle. which are provided at points intermediate their length with extensions 4-5. to engage the arms 41, and their lower ends are loosely fitted into recesses formed in and to engage l invention, although not necessary for, many cars l6, arranged on the blade 27 at the opposite ends thereof, so that as the blade i moved back 21ml t'ortli said arms 4- will he swung on their-pivots and the extensions 45 thereon will engage and move the arms +11 in one direction and permit the return thereof to normal by gravity.

The strip of paper leaving the supply passes over the edge of a dctlcct npplale fi l which extends lengthwise the receptacle and is fixed to the end walls thereof, and the edge of said plate is located above and in vertical alinement with the PHSMIQQ between the clamping-mendiers and also above the plane or thebar 40. so that while the strip is held by the clamping-members and the blade being; moved to cut the strip, the bar 4-0 willengage the strip between the clamp and the supplv and will dellect it to such an extent as to draw towel ing from the supply. As soon as the blade returns to normal position the bar 4-0 likewise returns and the additional supply thusdrawn oil is acclm'lulated as slack. preparatory to being drawn .or permitted to pass down through the opening 21. To prevent the accumulated or slack portion of the strip trout interfering with the moving parts and to direct it to the passage between the clampingmemlaers, a pair of fixed plates 31, 52, may be provided. which are secured to the in terior of the end walls or elsewhere. and arranged at opposite sides of the opening between the clamping-members, each plate (lo-- cliuing toward said bpening, torininga V- shaped guide for the passage of the accumulated portion of the strip between the clamping-members.

As a simple means of providing for incompletely severing the end section from the strip the cutting edge of the blade 27 is tormed with several narrow slots 55, extendinginwardly from the edge, as for instance, there may be a pair of such slots aboutthe middle of the blade and a slot near each end thereof. In Fig. 10 the incomplete line of severance is shown.

In one embodiment of my invention any desired length'of paper may be drawn from the supply and cut ofi", and additional toweling from the supply drawn while the end section is being out, which is subsequently caused to project through the opening 21, when the incompletely severed end section is withdrawn and detached, see particularly Fig. 11, but in the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, means are also provided for limitine the length of paper which may be drawn from the receptacle at each operation, whereby short measured lengths only are obtained, which are suflicient in themselves to serve as individual towe s. A. measuring-device for accomplish ing' this result therefore forms a part of my uses to which the apparatus maybe put and purposely omitted in Fig. 11. The measuring-device here shown is adapted to be operated automatically by the moving strip of paper as it is withdrawn from the receptacle to determine the length of the section withdrawn, and to be restored to normal by means connected with or operated by or in conjunction with the cutting-device.

Referring to Figs. 2 to ltlie measuringdevice is arranged above the opening 21, and

' the sides of said opening are extended upranged the front wall serves as a stationary.

deflecting wall over which the strip passes. The front wall 61 of the opening has a.

vertical slot at or about themiddle through which the teeth of a spur-wheel 62 extend,

said teeth projecting far enough to engage the crinkled strip, so that as the strip is moved along, as for instance, when being withdrawn from the receptacle,-said s urwheel will be positively revolved. raid spur-wheel ()2 is secured to a. horizontal shaft 63, see Fig. 9, supported by suitable hearings on the bottom wall of the receptacle, and said shaft extends from the middle to one end of the receptacle or thereabont. Said sha-ft has at its outer end an outwardly projecting pin 64, eccentrically arranged thereon, which supports a pawl 5 and also a short arm ()6 arranged at the side of and connected with the pawl. Said pawl normally rests by gravity upon. andcngages the ratchet-toothed portion 07 of a frame which is arranged in vertical position and. adapted to bemoved longitudinally step by step by the pawl as the shaft ()3 revolves. Said frame'comprises a horizontal base portion 67, on the upper edge of which the ratchetteeth are formed, upright end portions 68 and 69, and inwardly extended horizontal portions or arms 70 and 71, said portions or arms occupying the same plane or thereabout and extended toward each other and' terminating a short distance apart. Said frame is located at one end of the receptacle,

between the edge of the strip of toweling and the end wall of the receptacle. Said frame is designed to serve as an actuatingdevice for the locking-device for the strip, and when moved by the pawl acts to operate said locking-device to engage and lock the strip. Said frame. however, is adapted to be returned to normal position by means independent of the'pawl; and during such return movementto retn'rn'the locking-device to normal position The locking-devicercgii 'sts essentially of a flat plate 80, arrangedto swingon pivot- I studs 81. It is arranged horizontally in the receptacle and transversely with respect to the strip. It is arranged just back of the front wall 61 of the opening 21. but at the opposite side of the strip which bears upon said front wall. \Vhen in normal positionjt inclines rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, but when moved into locking position inclines forwardly, asshown in Fig. t, where it will be seen that its upper edge engages the strip with the front wall (31, to thereby lock it. Said locking-plate is movedby the frame, as for instance, it is engaged by the'end of the arm 71, and moved into locking position when said frame is moved in a forward diend of the arm 70, when the frame is moved in a rearward direction, as by the means employed for returning it tonormal position.

When the strip is drawn from the receptacle the spur-wheel is revolved and the pawl repeatedly movcdforward and backward, and the frame is advanced step by step until the arm 71 thereof moves the locking-plate into vertical, position and a little farther, whereupon {said plate falls by gravity against the stationary front wall 61 andengages and locks the strip It thus only-remains to return the part to normal to disengage thestri and thig act is performed, as here showmliy means connected with the cutting-device, so that when the cutting-device is operated to cut the strip and returns tonormal, the cooperative parts of said strip-locking mechanism will be caused or permitted to return to normal. Theshort arm 66 is employed as a part of the return mechanism and rests on the upper edge of a bar 90, which has a raised part 91 in front of the end of said arm, adapted, when the bar is moved rearward, to lift the arm and thereby lift the pawl and disengage it from the ratchet-toothed frame. Said cam-bar 90 has a recessed car 91', which receives the "outer end of a lever 92, pivotedat 93, the inner end of said lever engaging the outer end of another lever 94, pivoted at 95, the inner end of which straddles the pin 96 extended downward from the cutting-device. As the cutting-device is movedinward to cut the strip said cam-bar 90 is moved inward and lifts the short arm 96 and the pawl; yet movement of said cam-bar is continued and the ear thereon engages the front end of the frame and moves said frame inward. and the end of the arm 70 engages the lockingplate and moves said plate into vertical position and a little farther, whereupon. said plate falls by gravity into its rearwardly inclined position. -As the cutting-device returns to normal the cam-bar is likewise remitted to resume its ntu'i'nal position and the and presses the strip firmly into engagement;

turned to normal and the short' arm perrection by the pawl and is engaged by thel pawl to again engage the ratchet-toothed frame preparatory to being again operated to move said frame.

The means here shown for determining the length of strip which can be withdrawn from the receptacle at each operation is merely oneembodiment of my invention, which is simple, easily operatedand effective, but so. far as my invention is concerned any other suitable means may be employed.

1. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, havin an opening through its wall through whic the end of the strip normally pro ects in a position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, and a. cutting device arrangedtransversely with respect to the strip, having means whereby it may be operated manually, said cutting device being operable independent of the withdrawal of the strip from the supply, substantially as described.

2. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, and a cuttingdevice contained in and extended lengthwise the receptacle and transversely with respect to the strip having operating-means extended through the wall of the receptacle and accessible at the exterior thereof, said cutting device being operable independent of the withdrawal of the ,strip from the supply, substantially as described.

' 3. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a posit-ion to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, and a cutting-device contained in and extended lengthwise the receptacle and transversely with respect to the strip, comprising a pair of clamping-members for the strip and :1 blade, and clamping members being arranged to clamp the strip on opposite sides of the blade,a nd means to operate said clamping-members and blade to engage the strip and then cut it, substantially as described. 7

4'. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of papertoweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, and a. cutting-device contuined in and extended lengthwise the rewplacle uu'd transversely with respect to the strip, cmnprising a pair of clnipping-memlul's For the strip and a blade, each clamping-member comprising a pair of connect (i5 wuss-burs arranged with a space between them for the blade, and means to operate said clamping-members and-blade to engage the strip and then cut it, substantially as described.

A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an openlng through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, and a cutting-device contained in and extended lengthwise the recept-acle and transversely with respect to the strip, comprising a pair of'clampingmembers for the strip and a blade, one of said clamping-mem ers being stationarily supported and the 0 her being loosely connected with the blade, whereby it is moved with the blade and also permits the blade to more independently of it, substantially as described.

6. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper towelin g, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, a cutting-device arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold'. the strip while being cut, and means to draw from the supply additional towelinglwhilethe strip is thus held, whioh serves as'thentirr'nailfg; projecting end of the next -7Q A towel-holder consisting of a recepta- -towel, lisa icl end being-caused to project through said openingjvl'ien the stripg-is idis engaged, substantially as described;

clg adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a' position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, a cutting-device arranged, transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold the strip while being cut, a deflecting plate for the strip arranged between-the supply and the strip-holding means, and means coiiperating with said deflecting plate to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the-normally projecting end of the next towel, said end being caused to project through said opening when the strip is disengaged, substantially as described.

8. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having anopenii1g through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, a cutting-device arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold the strip while being cut, and means to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the projecting'end of Y 9. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted --to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its walljthrough which the end of the strip projectsia cutting-device arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold the strip while being cut, a cross bar arran ed-transversely with respect to the strip, ant movable across the path oi movement thereof, to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the projecting end of the next towel, and actuatingmeansfor said cross-bar connected with the cutting means, substantially as described.

10. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, a cutting-device arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold the strip while being cut, a cross-bar arranged transversely with respect to the strip, and swinging supports therefor, whereby said cross-bar is permitted to move across the path of movement of the strip to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the projecting end of the next towel, and actuating-means for said swinging cross-bar cooperating with the cutting device, substantially as described.

11; -A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper towe1ing, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, a cutting-devicearranged transversely with respect to the strip, means to hold the strip while being cut, a cross-bar arranged transversely with respect to the strip, and swinging supports therefor, whereby said cross-bar is permitted to move across the path of movement of the strip, to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the projecting end of the next towel, pivoted actuating-levers for said swinging cross-bar, and means to connect said actuating-levers with the cutting-device to be operated by said device, substantially as described.

12. .A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling,in strip form, having an opening thronghits wall through which the end ofthe strip normallyprojects in a position to be grasped and 'drawn manually from the supply, a cutting device for the strip, said cutting device being operable independent of the withdrawal of the strip from the suply, means to hold the strip while being cut,-

and' means to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the normally projecting end of the nexttowel, said end being toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a position to-be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, a cutting device for the strip movahlc transversely with respect to the strip, said cutting device being operable independent of the withdrawal of the strip from the supply, means to hold the strip while being cut. means to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which serves as the normally projecting end of the next towel, and an actuator therefor connected with. the cutting device, substantially as described.

14. A towel-holder consisting of a rccep- 1,,

tacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in'strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, and a cutting-device arranged transversely with respect .to the strip having a non-continuous cutting-edge, whereby the strip is incompletely severed, means to hold the strip while the cuttingdevice acts, and means to draw'from the supply additional toweling while the strip is thus held, which is subsequently caused to project through the opening by withdrawal of the incompletely severed portion, substantially as described.

15. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a' supply of paper toweling, in strip. form, having an opening through its wall through which the end-of the strip projects, a clamp operated by the strip is incompletely severed, means to hold the strip while the cutting device acts, and means to draw olt from the"supply additional toweling while,,the strip is thus held, which is subsequently paused to project through the opening by withdrawal of the incompletely setered portion, substan tially as described. j r

16. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling, in strip form, havin an opening through its wallthrough whic li the end-of the strip projects, a cutting-device for the strip. a stationary plate over which the strip passes, a movable locking-plate arranged in front of said stationary plate, and means to more said locking-plate to engage the strip when a predetermined length has been withdrawn, substantially as described.

,caused to )ro'cct throu h said 0 Jenin l tacle adaoted to contain a su )l of )21 )e1' 13!) Z: b v a toweling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through'which theend of the strip projects, a cutting-device for the strip, a stationary plate and a movable locking-plate between which the strip passes, a spur-wheel. arranged to 'be engaged and moved by the strip, and means operated by said spur-wheel to move said locking-plate to lock the strip, substantially as described,

18. A towel-holder consisting of a receptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper tom-ling, in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip projects, a cuttingdevice for the strip, means operated by the strip to engage and lock the strip When a predetermined length has been withdrawn, and means connected with the cutting-device to restore said locking-means, substantially as described. p

' 1! A towel-holder consisting of a receptarle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling. in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply, clamping means to engage and lock the strip when a predetermined length has been manually withdrawn, and a cutting device adapted to be operated to cut the strip transversely after it has been withdrawn from its supply and locked, substantially as described.

20. A towel-holder consisting'of a receptz't'le adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling. in strip form, having an opening through its wall through which the end of the strip normally projects in a position to be grasped and drawn manually from the supply. clamping means to engage and lock the strip when a predetermined length has been withdrawn. a cutting device adapted to be operated to cut the strip transversely after it has been withdrawn from its supply and locked, means to hold the strip while being cut, and means to draw from the supply additional toweling while the strip thus held, which subsequently projects thrtmgh the opening and serves as the projecting end of the next towel, substantially as described.

sition to begrasped and drawn manually from the supply, and a clamping and cuttingdevice withih the receptacle out of reach of the operator, consisting of clamping-members to clamp the paper dur- -ing the cutting operation, a serrated edged cutting blade movablethrough openings in the clamping-member from one member into the opening in the other member to cut the inter-posed paper with a scissor-like action, an actuating-device extending outside the receptacle by which the operator can at one movement press the clamps together and push the blade through the paper, substantially as described.

22. A towel-holder consisting of a reeeptacle adapted to contain a supply of paper toweling in strip form having an opening through its wall through which the toweling may be drawn out, a device'operated by the drawing out-of the strip to lock the strip against further'withdrawal after a predetermned length has been withdrawn, a

clamping and cutting device within the receptacle for clampin and cutting the strip, a pull-ofi' device within the receptacle for pulling off an additional supply from the rollduring the clamping and cutting movements, a releasing and resetting device for releasing and resetting the locking-device during the clamping and tcutting operation,

an actuating-device extending outside the 1 receptacle by means of which the operator can clamp and cut the strip, pull ofi'an ad ditional supply of paper from the roll and release and reset the locking-device by one movement ofthe hand, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I havesigned my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' CHARLES C. WILLIS. \Vitnesses: I

B. J. Novas, H. B. -DAVIB. 

